Toronto residents are scripting their chapters of change, venturing beyond the city’s boundaries in pursuit of novel opportunities and lifestyles from coast to coast to coast. But, the landing spots getting most of the attention are Alberta and Nova Scotia.

In recent years, Alberta has risen as a haven for those looking to leave Toronto. The resonance of the ‘Alberta is Calling’ campaign launched by the provincial government with the hint of affordable housing, lower cost of living, jobs, and lower taxes reverberates in the migration data, with a staggering 39,451 individuals from Ontario making their way to Alberta in 2022.

But is it more than that?

Embracing Alberta

LisaMarie Nicholson is a born-and-raised Torontonian who ditched the financial district two years ago when she and her husband found themselves at a crossroads. Their initial plan to eventually retire elsewhere suddenly accelerated by about seven years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having spent their entire lives in Toronto, the couple felt a growing unease with the city’s trajectory, prompting a decision to seek a new home and lifestyle.

The decision to settle in Alberta wasn’t arbitrary. The province’s reputation for a conservative mindset and a lower cost of living beckoned the couple. Additionally, the couple sought milder winters, a factor in their choice to move an hour north of the U.S. border in Lethbridge.

“We’d never been west, we’d never visited west, we don’t have any family out here, but the thinking always was we wouldn’t want to stay in Toronto for our retirement,” Nicholson said.

Despite some logistical hurdles, Nicholson emphasized that settling in Alberta was relatively smooth. They rented Airbnb accommodations for two months while searching for a permanent home, eventually finding a residence far larger and more comfortable than anything they could afford in Toronto.

The move from a bustling metropolis to the quieter surroundings of Lethbridge required a significant adjustment. The absence of a fast-paced city life, limited public transit and the slower rhythm of a smaller community were notable changes. However, the genuine helpfulness of the local community pleasantly surprised the couple.

One of the advantages, according to Nicholson, is the affordability. Beyond the significant savings in housing costs, the province’s five per cent sales tax and lower living expenses enhance quality of life.

Nicholson acknowledges the adjustments required but emphasizes the give-and-take nature of relocation.

“A lot of people come here with the wrong idea thinking that, ‘I’m going to get a great job and I’m going to pay less for a house,’ and you’ll have no struggle, no homesickness, no yearning for things that you can only find in a place the size of Toronto. It’s just going to be all roses,” she said. “It’s not, because there’s nothing about southern Alberta that’s at all like Ontario.”

The Nova Scotia Odyssey

Nestled amidst the enchanting landscapes of Nova Scotia, Marianne Katzman has no regrets about making the move from downtown Toronto to the wilds of Nova Scotia.

The decision to move to Nova Scotia was hastened by the economic realities the commercial art gallery owner faced with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When the second wave came along, we just recognised we couldn’t carry it any further,” said Katzman.

A profound desire for a better quality of life, immersed in the soothing embrace of nature propelled her and her family, including her seven-year-old daughter, to make the move.

“I live on a lake; it’s like living in cottage country. It’s absolutely stunningly gorgeous,” she said. The move, conducted sight unseen due to pandemic restrictions, unfolded as a leap of faith that paid dividends.

Amidst the natural beauty, the challenges of starting a new business remotely were met with resilience. Despite the hurdles, Katzman discovered unforeseen opportunities, eventually taking over a respected art gallery in Halifax. Her journey stands as a testament to the power of embracing change. But she still misses some things about the city.

“Honestly, there is an adjustment. A lot more shopping is online for me because I can’t go to Queen West and have the best shops in the country. And the best restaurants in the country,” she said.

Katzman had no family or connections on the East Coast, but like Nicholson, she found a warm and generous community different from Toronto.

“The rewarding aspect is the people because everyone has been so warm and generous and celebratory,” she said. “There was so much competition in Toronto and it doesn’t feel that way here. It feels like everyone wants to see you succeed.”